The TGL (TMRW Golf League) is preparing for its second season, and while some aspects of the indoor golf experience will remain unchanged, executives are signaling growth in other areas.
Season 1 of TGL, despite being a success in terms of viewership and fan engagement, faced criticism for ticketing issues, simulation irregularities, and accusations of staged reactions. Yet one area that drew the most scrutiny was the league’s format.
Many expected that the organizers, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, would overhaul the structure for the upcoming season. However, as broadcast analyst Roberto Castro told The Smylie Show on YouTube, that is not the case.
“No big format changes,” Castro said when asked about adjustments for Season 2.
He clarified further, “Nine holes of triples, halftime intermission will probably just be a little bit more fast paced, so you get right into the singles, and then six holes of singles. Still 15 holes. Shot clock remains at 40 seconds.
Explaining hammer rule he said that “each team gets three hammers. Every hole is worth one point. If you throw the hammer, it’s worth two. If the other team accepts, they can play, or they can fold, like poker.”
Castro emphasized that while the hammer rule-allowing players to double points on select holes-remains central to the strategy, teams have already mastered it.
“The hammer is the storyline that came along the farthest in season one. The teams and players learned how to use it. So it became really strategic. The fans kind of got into it. They were screaming about throwing the hammer. Now that all the teams have the hang of it, it’s going to make for really good storylines in season two,” he explained.
TGL’s growth beyond the course
While the on-course format remains largely the same, TGL has been making other strategic moves that signal expansion.
The league announced that its second season will start earlier than expected, kicking off on December 28, 2025. This earlier schedule allows the league to capitalize on the holiday period and attract a larger audience, both in-person and via broadcast.
Sponsorships have also increased significantly. Omega Watches, which already sponsors McIlroy, will now back the TGL shot clock. Additionally, TGL has extended its partnership with New Era from a single-season deal to a multi-year arrangement.
According to Golf Digest, other brands have joined the league, meaning arenas like the SoFi Center could see an unprecedented influx of advertising in Season 2.
Executives appear to be balancing familiarity with growth. By keeping the format largely unchanged, players do not need to adapt to new rules mid-season, preserving competitive consistency.
Meanwhile, the league continues to evolve commercially and strategically, building on the success of its inaugural season.
The decision to retain the core structure while expanding partnerships and event timing reflects a measured approach to growth.
Fans of TGL can expect more dynamic storylines on the course, a more compact intermission between triples and singles, and increased sponsorship visibility.
Season 2 promises to combine the strategic depth that fans enjoyed last year with commercial growth and improved pacing.
While Tiger Woods and his team have chosen continuity over radical change, the league’s evolution off the course indicates that TGL is positioning itself as a fixture in professional golf entertainment for years to come.
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